Oregon Legislature to consider laws protecting wine industry

Oregon lawmakers will consider several proposals during the 2019 Legislature to protect the state's $5.6 billion wine industry, including a measure aimed at preventing out-of-state winemakers from hijacking the names and reputations of certain growing areas. The issue stems from a dispute last year between several Willamette Valley wineries and Copper Cane LLC, a California wine producer that purchases grapes from about 50 Oregon vineyards to make Pinot noir and rosé. Two brands in particular — Elouan and Willametter Journal — were accused of having deceptive labels and packaging that suggested the wines came from one or more of Oregon's federally designated American Viticultural Areas, or AVAs. State and federal laws tightly regulate how and when AVAs can be used to market wine. Copper Cane ultimately surrendered seven previously approved labels to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, and the Oregon Liquor Control Commission has moved to revoke the company's license to do business in the state.